A "violent" HMP Frankland prisoner attacked a guard and left him needing 12 stitches after grabbing hold of his ear.
Christopher Phillips caused serious injury to the guard after attacking him in his cell at the category A men's prison in Brasside, County Durham, on March 17, last year. The 40-year-old knocked the male guard to the floor before gripping hold of his ear, which resulted in the man being taken to hospital.
Phillips appeared at Durham Crown Court via link from HMP Durham on Wednesday to be sentenced for unlawful wounding. He pleaded guilty to the charge at a previous hearing.
Read more: Gateshead thug broke sister's jaw and nose and assaulted mum after his birthday celebration
Andrew Walker, prosecuting, said the guard, who has 20 years experience, was on duty in the Westgate Unit of the prison, which houses prisoners with complex personality disorders. He said: "For a number of weeks the defendant's behaviour had deteriorated and he had previously issued verbal threats to staff. On occasions, the defendant would refuse to receive medication."
The court heard that on the morning of March 17, Phillips had been let out of his cell in order to receive treatment and then became "agitated" after finding out he was due to be transferred out of HMP Frankland that day to another prison. The guard had then taken Phillips back to his cell, and was about to lock him back in.
Mr Walker, said: "The defendant slammed the cell door shut and started kicking things around. The defendant glared at the complainant before charging towards him. He grabbed the door and slammed it against the wall." The prison officer then attempted to lock him in the cell, but Phillips managed to "overpower" and push him, resulting in a "scuffle". It was then that Phillips grabbed the officer's left ear and pulled it.
The guard then fell to the floor, whilst Phillips "maintained his painful grip" and began dishing out verbal threats. Other officers soon became aware of what was happening and managed to get into the cell to stop the attack. Mr Walker said the victim was taken to hospital to be treated for a "complex wound" which resulted in the ear cartilage being "visible". The wound required 12 stitches.
In a victim statement, the prison officer said he was off work for a year and still suffers from PTSD and flashbacks of the attack. He said the incident left him feeling "anxious" and "worthless". The officer has since returned to work on a part time basis, but still suffers from mental and physical issues.
The court heard that Phillips had 42 convictions for 77 offences, and was given a 10 year extended prison sentence in 2012 for arson. He also received a four month prison sentence last year for assaulting an emergency worker.
Stephen Hamill, defending, said it was an "impulsive, spontaneous, and short-lived assault" and that Phillips has "serious mental health problems". He said: "The defendant is sorry and would like the complainant to know it was stupid and that he should have thought about his actions. He is ashamed of his actions but takes some comfort in the fact the officer has returned to work."
Judge Ray Singh called Phillips a man who is "prone to using violence" and branded him a "violent individual". He jailed Phillips for 32 months.
